Research has been carried out to show how CB2 – a cannabinoid receptor – can determine the amount of sperm that is produced. It is additional proof that the use of marijuana can affect the fertility of men. It also intimates that there is a way to treat male infertility.
It is estimated that 15% of couples are affected by infertility across the world. Out of these, up to 70% are male based. This is information from researcher Paola Grimaldi Ph.D., who is based at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Scientists suggest that cannabis exposure may affect DNA-bound proteins, sperm chromatin and have an impact on fertility, embryo development and offspring health.
The initial tests were carried out on mice, and they were treated with different agents for between 14 and 21 days. The first ones were given a CB2 activator. In the second group, a different agent was used. Mice were given an inhibitor of a CB2 receptor. For the third group of mice, it was a saline solution only that was provided and these were just the control group.
There was a noticeable acceleration of spermatogenesis in the mice that had been treated with the CB2 activator, and the opposite occurred with the second group. The rate slowed here and it showed that the inhibitor did have an effect on the process. For spermatogenesis to progress properly there has to be a clear and tight balance when it comes to the activation of CB2.
Editor in Chief of the FASEB Journal Thoru Pedersen is pleased that this is a new chemical way to treat male infertility.
Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology